Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Jan 19, 2011 18:13:08 GMT -5
The sun is halfway through its descent and the amber glow left in its wake is almost enough to forget the winter chill. After hours, days and weeks of discussion, gossip, disagreement and lecturing the main issues of the winter court have become apparant to all present. Most of the more important issues are already popular topics in other, smaller winter courts attempting to imitate the Emperor's most glorious court. Of course they do their best to avoid imitating some of the scandals and those matters highlighted in whispered words and sidelong glances that are yearly typical of the most interesting yet dangerous court in the land. A court that, at times, is more a battlefield than a place of rest and enlightenment.
Still, not all battlefields are deadly. Some are for training. One of the most highly regarded courtly training options is sadane. Both an art form and a risky game, its enthusiasts enjoy the thrill of the unexpected comment, the downplayed but highly meaningful glance or gesture and above all the ability to provoke their rivals into public shame. For losing is shameful and sadane is a game.
Its practicioners know the rules and customs; - Criticise those taking part, not those judging or merely observing. - Do not insult those competing. The border between criticism and insult is a tricky one and it often depends as much on how the comment is said as the content of the comment - Never look into the eyes of those you critique. Instead direct your comments to other participants in a clear manner... one that should most ideally be audible to your real target - Avoid being provoked by the comments of others. To show uncontrolled emotion as a samurai is dishonourable, particuarly that brought about by a harmful game... - sadane can be played in many ways. You can work on your own or with others, even as a team. However, you will earn more credit for your own wittiness rather than a concerted group effort - all participants, as long as they do not shame themselves, are winners for the advice is often constructive and even more often the experience is a useful one. You can learn a lot about how others react and what they say. You can learn the most about how you react to the same.
On this early evening a courtly game of sadane is scheduled. It occupies one of the larger side rooms. Various cushions rest around the room, as do some objects of interest including a fragile but beautiful pot and an elegant calligraphy scroll: "A courageous man has no need to be cruel" (Shinsei) The room is well lit and cosy. Tea and water are provided to all the participants, some servants waiting on the edges of the room and at the folding doors on one side to fulfill the wishes of any guests. Two older judges sit on raised chairs, cheerily exchanging tales of past exploits while a third sits up, cusping her mouth to stiffle a yawn. Finally a servant signals to her that it is time and all preparations have been made. She enlightens the other two judges before standing up and moving over to the main doors to the chamber. Opening them she welcomes the first participants...
(ooc: please join in but try to keep it well spirited! Anyone is welcome to join. Please enter the room at first. I imagine there will be an arrival period before the contest is officially begun. Come and have fun people! )
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Jan 20, 2011 23:37:55 GMT -5
*Doji Hyuu enters, having dismissed his various attendants. He is a slight man, even for a Crane, and not particularly tall, wearing elegant robes in an extremely pale blue trimmed with soft white. He carries a small fan showing a frieze of nine Cranes in flight and wears a wakizashi but no other weapon. Making small talk with some of the other courtiers he awaits patiently for the sadane to begin, not quite succeeding at disguising the eagerness in his eyes*
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Jan 22, 2011 10:16:48 GMT -5
Yushahime welcomes the Crane into the spacious room with a smile, signalling for some of the servants to offer refreshments and to take requests. She admires his fine robes and fan for a moment before turning her attention back to the other guests, welcoming them all individually to the competition.
Dohi Hyuu will observe that the other two courtiers already in the room, in their older years and still seated while talking, display the clear mon of the Otomo Imperial family. They make no effort to introduce themselves and are possibly waiting to at the official commencement of the competition
(ooc: Thanks for joining Hyuu! Any chance of getting 2-3 more courtier types or anyone really before we begin? Pretty please people! It'll be fun. Cmoooon...)
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on Jan 22, 2011 18:16:23 GMT -5
(I'll be reading, but I've earned enough "unfortunate words" as it is. Besides I think my rank warrants a bit of a handicap ![:P](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/tongue.png) )
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Jan 22, 2011 20:15:05 GMT -5
(Then rp another npc for this? Perhaps a trust lieutenant or family member? Don't be a spoil sport Senshi!)
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on Jan 23, 2011 0:39:01 GMT -5
(No, I really can't I've been a bit of an offense too many on the boards already. But good luck anyway!!)
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Jan 25, 2011 1:41:27 GMT -5
OOC: Soooo... shall we begin? I've mentioned this thread to a few other Courtiers, but I don't know how long you want to wait.
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Post by Kakita Kioshi on Jan 25, 2011 9:26:39 GMT -5
{Kakita Kioshi enters. Being attended by no one, there is no one to dismiss. Of no more than average physical appearance, he wears what, at first glance, seams to be meager and simple crystal blue robes. Slung haughtily at his side is a fine, jewel encrusted katana. As he makes his way about the room, he, silently, takes in each of the inhabitants. It isn't until he passes by that the matching crystal blue embroidery through out his clothing makes it self known. After ensuring he is seen by all, he moves off to the side of the room and stands, in challenge.}
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Post by Kakita Kioshi on Jan 25, 2011 9:27:16 GMT -5
(OOC: I'm a total noob at this, so go easy on me. ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) )
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Jan 25, 2011 20:34:08 GMT -5
(ooc: Kioshi, you'll be fine. I'm hoping to help moderate things by having Yushahime as a judge along with the Otomo samurai i'll be npc-ing. I think Hyuu and Kioshi should be a good start though. Thanks for your immense patience for waiting Hyuu-san! I'll add a few more mooks to the room one more fleshed out NPC to play to give you both a target if you like and to get the ball rolling)
Yushahime welcomes Kioshi-san and admires as he shows himself visibly and gives off his aura of challenge. It seems he may be a strong contestant. She welcomes a few stragglers and leaves the doors open, instructing her servants to fully welcome anymore observers or participants as the case may be. First would be the preliminary stage and official welcome.
She picks out the courtier, shugenja and odd few samurai in the room. She is pleased to see each of the great clans is represented, particuarly the Crane, and a handful of the minor clans are also in attendance. One scorpion shugenja stands quite proudly as does a Yasuki courtier. An older Ide courtier stands warily near the refreshments, slowly indulging himself as he sums up the competition while a female Shiba bushi stands awkwardly near the door giving the impression he is not too confident. A Mirumoto but Doji trained Dragon moves closer to the Otomo as they prepare to give their speech and an Akodo bushi stands next to a Monkey courtier - it seems the two know each other as they exchange small words of greeting. Apart from the Crane, the only other participant who really stands out is an impeccably dressed and slightly podgy Mantis courtier of the Yoritomo school. His brow is furrowed in concentration and he stares at the other participants, openly glaring should they return the look too long. His wakizashi is tied so it is held almost horizontally - a clear sign of either arrogance or status. He scratches his neatly trimmed moustache as the Otomo judges signal their readiness to commence. Yushahime quickly joins them as they begin.
"Thank you all for making it here today. I am Otomo Ren, your acting chief judge, and this is my younger cousin Otomo Ichigo-kun" The older man gestures to the only ever so slightly younger looking man, though both have some gray hair. Finally he motions to Yushahime "and this is Kitsuki Yushahime-san who has kindly agreed to help us with our judgments after the third judge, Otomo Nenene-san was unable to attend court today. We trust you will agree with our decisions and adhere to the rules of Sadane. If you fail to follow these rules a warning will be given and if this is not heeded you will be disqualified. Is that clear?". All those assembled show their agreement and Ren continues with a small speech on the delicateness of courtly manners, the excellent past time that is Sadane, some of its history and greatest practicioners (with many of the mentionables being Otomo family members) and the key rules (please see above). He finishes by mentioning that an excellent prize is at stake and there will be lesser prizes for those judged worthy and who take high places. Each contestant will be scored on their tact, choice of criticism, handling of sadane and courtly etiquette as well as their reaction to criticism and overall level of participation.
When finished he claps, reminds everyone of the available refreshments and how this should be overall be a light hearted and fun game. He then sits back down and his cousin along with Yushahime also sit. He then nods "Please begin..."
The Yasuki courtier makes the opening line, slightly hastily as his voice betrays the hint of nerves, after a barely noticeable tilt of the head towards Hyuu-san "It is good that this is a friendly competition, this way when those newborn chicks seek flight there will be no hard feelings". He says this to nobody in particular but a few glances at Hyuu's fan do draw some smiles
(ooc: Feel free to describe all the npcs bar the Mantis one. They're all mooks! Make them behave silly or change their features or have obvious flaws or whatever you like. Hyuu-san, feel free to point out and make up anything you like about the Yasuki to criticise. It'll become canon. E.g. He has tied his obi in an out of style fashion or he is sweating profusely or worse!)
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on Jan 25, 2011 21:54:19 GMT -5
(ooc: This is awesome! Can't wait to read more! I feel it is important to point out though that there are people on this forum who do not take too kindly to utilizing another clan's npcs. I discovered this the hard way. I advise against playing as you recommended
EDIT: Sorry, stupid Ipod touch cut off half of my post. I don't like criticism without giving a suggestion. The rest was thus:
as you recommended, but instead only post for your own clan's npcs. By all means bash the other guys! Just be careful with controlling the other clans members. All I had to do was speak one line that made a clan member NPC from another clan lose face and I drew the ire of many in that clan. So be careful.)
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Shosuro Ichiro
Scorpion Clan
Shosuro Family Daimyo*Courtier*Diplomat*Actor*Spy
Posts: 241
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Post by Shosuro Ichiro on Jan 26, 2011 3:14:45 GMT -5
Entering as the attention to the judges is called. A young man maybe in he mid twenties moves into the side chamber waiting and watching. Dressed in a deep red Kimono bearing the Scorpion Mon and the Clans distinctive taste for face mask. Ichiro is eager to learn and participate in this grand game. With hopes of giving a good showing and also to pick up a few tips and tells of the other participants. He flutters his fan as if to pretend to cool him self, but it seems more like nerves showing, or is it?
(OOC: I am new on the concept of this game but I am willing to give it a go.)
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Post by Kakita Kioshi on Jan 26, 2011 4:04:56 GMT -5
{Kioshi chuckles and moves to find a cup of tea. He then settles into a large pillow and addresses his tea} Friendly competition indeed. Hopefully, it will end before the wizened ones have to crawl back into their shells. {He chuckles, once more, into his tea}
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Jan 26, 2011 6:28:03 GMT -5
(ooc: This is awesome! Can't wait to read more! I feel it is important to point out though that there are people on this forum who do not take too kindly to utilizing another clan's npcs. I discovered this the hard way. I advise against playing as you recommended EDIT: Sorry, stupid Ipod touch cut off half of my post. I don't like criticism without giving a suggestion. The rest was thus: as you recommended, but instead only post for your own clan's npcs. By all means bash the other guys! Just be careful with controlling the other clans members. All I had to do was speak one line that made a clan member NPC from another clan lose face and I drew the ire of many in that clan. So be careful.) ooc: Very true but though they may be of that clan, this is my thread and I'm going to act as the GM in it. I'm going to shame the Mirumoto too. Everyone is equally going to shame themselves in this. Rest assured. If people don't like me using NPCs from their clan then they should come in here and control them or bring their own characters in to win glory on behalf of their clan. None of the npcs will be doing anything obviously stupid or dishonourable - like randomely attacking people or anything - but I cannot have all the enemies and mooks be power rangers-esque bad guys with masks. No offence to the Scorpion with the masks comment but hopefully you know what I mean - faceless guys. "Some samurai from some clan says "blah"" isn't as involving as saying where he is from and giving him a personality. I understand people get protective of their clans but I could just seppuku yushahime and make a character from their clan and play an idiot on these boards if I was really trying to be an arse and insult a clan. Obviously this isn't my intention and if people react negatively to this thread and the use of npcs from nearly all the clans as mooks - negatively in the way you say others have responded to your use of other clan npcs - then I am sorry but I would call them childish and insecure. Every clan has samurai and peasants that aren't exactly brilliant. People cannot expect a loving portrayal of their clan at all times. I thank you for the warning and the suggestion and I will be careful not to make any non dragon clan npcs seem too bad but I won't compromise a roleplay thread because a minority of people get antsy when a random npc nobody from their clan does one thing wrong or loses face. That's even more silly than the npcs' actions/words that caused the issue. In all honesty I would prefer the whole session didn't overly use NPCs but the shortage of participants and them being primarily from one clan makes it a necessity. Finally - if anyone really objects then make it a rule on the boards or, if you please, just say this rp thread isn't canonical in your world view and didn't happen. It's not all that important afterall - just a game! I won't be posting anything like "and then all the Mantis agreed to murder every Crane courtier for all of time". I've gm-ed enough games to not abuse a setting or creativity. Do expect "and this one npc mantis looked like a fool when the PCs were better than him". It's not a slight on the Mantis clan - i'm sure all clans have much more capable members. It's just some mook taking the fall so actual players on the boards can have fun and look good. At the end of the day I believe a better way of protecting the honour and good image of your clan is to roleplay a character from said clan and be awesome and glorious at it! Simples ^^ IC: Some servants see to the new Scorpion arrival as the Yasuki family member (mook-san so don't be annoyed - read above!) steps back, thinking of a quick counter but finding none. The lion and monkey began to gossip loudly, suggesting that once the shell cracks even a wizened creature can be dangerous
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Shosuro Ichiro
Scorpion Clan
Shosuro Family Daimyo*Courtier*Diplomat*Actor*Spy
Posts: 241
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Post by Shosuro Ichiro on Jan 26, 2011 11:23:28 GMT -5
Ichiro ask for tea and then snaps his fan closed loud enough to be heard. When he speaks he looks at no one yet he makes sure he is loud enough to be noticed.
It is just like a crane to strike a quick but ultimately small blow against a surprised target. Only to go back to preening their precious egos, or to wallow in their own drinks.
Even worse is the Lion and Monkey attacking the wounded as if the victim is but carrion to them. I can hardly wait for Yasuki-sama to show you his bite, from beneath his cracked shell.
The servants return with Ichiro's tea. He nods to them and takes his cup sipping slowly. Once he has his sip he places the cup down and then opens his fan again slowly fanning himself and the sparks he just fired. Behind the fan he smiles wickedly waiting for the return.
(OOC: Hope that was good.)
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